Jerry Simison Boat Racing Legend

[Master Oil Racing Team]

I had thought there was a thread for Jerry Simison, but I have not been able to find one other than a couple regarding his last days. Today he will be laid to rest. He was loved by those who knew him. For those who didn't this thread will be about who he was.

[Gene East]

Thanks for starting this thread Wayne. Hopefully others will join in honoring one of the greatest drivers in the history of our sport.

I've been communicating with Paul (Jerry's brother) and Todd, (Jerry's son) all week. I can assure everyone, the Simison family knows how much the racing family loved and respected Jerry.

The family has asked me to thank you for your prayers and kindness.

Condolences may be sent to:

Todd Simison
1682 Hwy 10 East
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501

Memorial tributes honoring Jerry may be made on line to:

Michael J. Fox Foundation (Minnesota Chapter)

Let's help find a cure for Parkinsons!

[Master Oil Racing Team]

No doubt about it Gene. Thanks very much for keeping us updated. Ralph Donald doesn't post often, but when he does it is to the point. The longest post I can remember is the one he did about Jerry on the funeral thread. Hopefully someone can move that over here. Ralph told about some times he had with Jerry and his family.

Here are some more pictures.

ADD: You have to think backwards when posting these days, because if you go in order.....everything is backwards, except somehow the magazine article was in order.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

More pictures of Jerry.

ADD: I accidentally posted one from the previous post, but it's easier to leave it in than try to remove it. I did learn, though, how to move pictures into the correct order before posting. Most of these color ones were taken at Winona. The 1975 Grain Belt Pro Nationals, and the Eastern Divisionals at Gadsden, Alabama in 1975.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

More on Jerry. This is from the Roger Penske offshore racing days. I believe they only did it for one year. Penske may have thought it would be easy, just getting a driver like Jerry and putting a lot of money into it, but if you are serious, you have to be ready for a long term commitment. Penske had too many irons in the fire at that time, and did not continue on. Maybe Ralph Donald can add some of what he wrote on the other thread of Jerry.

[Donald]

Jerry took me for a ride in that boat on Lake X without a helmet and what I remember most is that the wind made the skin on my cheeks ripple like wind on water.
In the last picture of Jerry I see F 22 where we pitted next to each other. I believe that was the last NOA championship in 1974 at Rainbow City, Al. A great place for a race!

[Ron Hill]

I had thought there was a thread for Jerry Simison, but I have not been able to find one other than a couple regarding his last days. Today he will be laid to rest. He was loved by those who knew him. For those who didn't this thread will be about who he was.

Wayne do you have the top picture here and is it color? Did I see this as a poster, or did I imagine that. I love that picture, only a few runabout drivers ever knew the feeling that Jerry had in this picture.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Ron, all of the pictures except the ones from magazine spreads posted so far are mine. Most of them have never been seen by anyone until Gene East gave me Jerry's son Todd's email. I sent them to him prior to the funeral. Then I started this thread to post them for others to see. It's black and white. Most of mine are. When I was shooting for Motorsport, and then doing freelance stuff for Powerboat and later a contributing editor, it was mostly black & white. A little while later Powerboat and Powerboat & Waterskiing did a lot of color, but I was done by then.

You like that pic....it's yours! I had a series I had planned to send you anyway, and just by luck today was the day I got my good photo printer working again....bought lots of photo paper and an extra pak of ink, besides the one I bought two months ago. Working on photos for Ralph DeSilva. That picture you like will also go to Ralph so I'll make two while I'm at it.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Got your photo printed Ron. Have to wait in line for the others though because Ralph DeSilva told Joe Rome to tell me he couldn't wait another twenty years for the photos I promised.